Compressed air differential wind mandrel



` Nov. 28, 1961 J. D. BROWN 3,010,671

COMPEESSED AIR DIFFERENTIAL WIND MANDREL Filed Nov. 30, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 25 a5 3h 34 .sa f5 INVENTOR @Mis 520%( @22g/MW Nov. 28, 1961 J. D. BROWN COMPRESSED AIR DIFFERENTIAL WIND MANDR Filed Nov. 30, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 n W v ATTORN NVENTOR M55 D. on/Al Nov. 28, 1961 J. D. BROWN 3,010,671

coMPBEssED AIR DIFFERENTIAL WIND MANDREL FiledNov. 30, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR M55 D. Efo/WV ATTORNEY United States Patent Otltice 3,019,671 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 3,010,671 COMPRESSED AIR DIFFERENTIAL WND MANDREL James Donald Brown, Rahway, NJ., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Johnson Sz Johnson, New Brunswick,

NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 30, 1955, Ser. No. 550,066 9 Claims. (Cl. 242-563) This invention relates to apparatus for controlling winding tension in rolls of strip material, particularly in rolls that are simultaneously wound up from strips thereof slit yfrom va master roll.

Products, such as surgical tape, masking tape, cellophane tape, and the like, are manufactured in the form of large master or bundle rolls which are slit into strips of desired Width and wound in appropriate length on individual cores. It is customary to arrange the individual cores Ifor a number of rolls on a common mandrel which is rotated to wind the strips on the cores `as lthey are slit from the bundle roll. The mandrel is positively driven at a speed which, if the tension of wind in the bundle roll were substantially uniform over its entire width, would render the individual rolls quite satisfactory. But tension in a bundle roll is not uniform over its entire width. For example, in a bundle roll of paper made by a wet process, .the sheet at the edges is frequently looser than at the center so that a roll of tape slit from the edge portion of such a roll is actually appreciably ylonger than a roll slit from the center portion thereof. In la bundle roll of cloth, on the other hand, the sheet at the selvaged edges is Vsomewhat shorter than at the center of the roll so that the reverse situation holds true. Somewhat similar situations exist in films of regenerated cellulose or cellulose acetate, for example, whose gauge cannot possibly be controlled precisely across a wide sheet. In such cases, if the mandrel is set to rotate at a speed to produce rolls of average tension, rolls cnt from thin portions o the sheet will appear loose and sloppy, Whereas, rolls cut from thick portions of the sheet may be -wound so tightly as to cause the cores to collapse or the rolls to become rnisshaped and telescoped.

The effects just mentioned are magnied when the Webs are coated with an adhesive as in the manufacture of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Itis difficult to apply an absolutely uniform film or coating across the entire Width of the sheet even when the coating machinery is precisely adjusted. Such diculties are magnied when the equipment is worn, out of adjustment, or carelessly operated. Variations in thickness over the width of a web being slit, even if slight, may nevertheless cause considerable variation in tension as among a group of rolls Wound up therefrom after slitting as such rolls increase in size. To state it differently, variations in roll tension among a group of rolls slitted and Wound up from the same bundle roll and resulting from variations in thickness over the width of such bundle roll are increased as the convolutions are increased in the Wound up rolls of slitted tape.

In accordance with the present invention, the wind-up tens-ion in a series of rolls of slitted tape is maintained at substantially the same value by applying the same torque to etect the winding of each of such rolls. Itis true that despite use of the same winding torque, differences in diameter of the respective rolls at any instant resulting from variations in the thickness of the web being Wound may produce some variation in Wind-up tension, but such variation in tension as between the rolls will lhave no significant effect.

Also in accordance with the present invention, the driving torque on the respective rolls may be controlled during the wind-up operation in a manner to maintain tension throughout the length of such rolls substantially constant.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cores on which the respective rolls of tape are wound are driven through individual clutch devices comprising each a member adapted to accommodate `a core on which the tape is to be wound and arranged for rotation freely upon -a mandrel and a second clutch member arran ed adjacent the irst and which is xed on the mandrel.

A drive between the respective clutch members is eiiected by means of air pressure, preferably by causing an annular ring arranged concentrically wit-h the axis of the mandrel and recessed into the face of the xed member to move a limited distance in an axial direction under the action of pressure frictionally to engage the opposed face of the adjacent clutch member arranged for free rotation upon the mandrel. Throughout the Winding operation, continuous slippage is permitted between the driving member of the clutch which is lixed on the mandrel and the driven member thereof which is rotatable `on the mandrel. This relative movement between the clutch members throughout the Winding operation enables a constant driving torque to be established more accurately than if on occasions there were no slippage du-ring the drive since such an arrangement eliminates a variable, which otherwise might be introduced due to the difference between stationary and sliding friction. In other words, since the drive between the two clutch members is through surfaces that frictionally engage one another, driving torque transmitted through frictional eugagemeut of the parts can be more accurately regulated if the friction involved is always sliding friction.

It will be understood, of course, that provision must be made for holding the cores vagainst movement relative to the respective clutch members on vwhich they are mounted, during each wind-up operation, and lfor releasing the cores to permit removal thereof from such clutch members after one Wind-up operation and replacement thereof by similar cores for the next wind-up operation. While manual means could be used for locking and releasing the cores with respect to their clutch members, it is preferred, in accordance with the invention, to effect such looking and releasing operations automatically under the control of devices operated pneumatically 4by the air pressure within the mandrel.

A better understanding of lthe invention may be had from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan view of a portion of a tape-winding machine illustrating the manner in which a mandrel equipped with the present improvements is associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a phantom side elevation of a tape-Winding lmachine illustrating the manner in which the tape is lthreaded through the machine to the cutters and thence to the mandrels equipped with the present improvements;

FIG. 3 is a plan View of a mandrel which has been removed from a machine to facilitate loading thereof with cores and which is equipped with a full complement of clutch members through which the respective cores are rotated to facilitate a tape-winding operation;

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal section through a portion of a mandrel illustrating in detail two fixed clutch members and one form of intermediate clutch member rotatable with respect to the mandrel and located at one end thereof;

FIG. 4a is a view similar to FiG. 4 but showing the clutch members mounted at the opposite end of the mandrel, the intermediate clutch member illustrated being of an alternate form;

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View on line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

Vframe.

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a core-gripping ele- -ment associated-withftheform of clutch member used in FIG. 4; Y

-FIG. S is a transverse vertical sectional View online FIG. 9 is aV transverse vertical sectional view on line 9-9 of FIG. 4a;

. FIG. 10 isa vertical longitudinal sectional view through a portion of a clutch member fixedv with respect to the mandrel and at a; plane showing the manner in which r the clutch member is Yi'ixed to Vthe mandrel;

FIG. l1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a Y*portion of a clutch member fixed/with respect to the .mandrel at a plane showing Vhow air is supplied under -pressure to the annular ring causing it frictionally to ena guide roll 11 and thence over and around the upper of a fpair of vertically-spaced horizontally-disposed S rolls 16 and 17 (HG2). Both the rolls 16 and 17,'which are arranged one directly above` the other, are positively driven and since the adhesive side of the web is in contact with the upper roll for about three quarters of its periphery, the tension exerted on the adhesive web is'suicient "to pull it Vwith facility o the bundle roll. After leaving the surface of. the upper roll 16, the web passesthrough the space between it and the lower roll 17, toward the rear of the lattergandv then aro-und the lower roll which it Yleaves traveling in a forward direction toward the front of the machine.

From the roll 17 the web'passes over a guide roll 1S yand then under a platen roll 19 where the sheet isslit longitudinally into a pluralityo tapes of narrow width 10a and ltlb'by a gang of circular yknives 20. spaced along'the platen roll with which the knivesY are in edgewise engagement (FIGS.V l and 2). `After the slitting op- LVeration, every other strip of tape 16a passes over a guise roll 21 supported at .its opposite ends -for rotation in bearings presented at the upper ends of aY pair of arms 22 4which are mountedone at each side of the machine frame at the front. From the guide roll 21` the tapes lila travel to one or another of the series of cores C which are spaced along a mandrel 23 detachably mounted at one end on'a short stub shaft 24 which is journalled for rotation 1n a bearing'presented by the arm 22 atV the right. 'lhe mandrel 23V at its other end is mounted in a split bearing device 25 permitting its rotation .as Well as ready removal from the machine. A guide roll 26 and a core supporting mandrel 27 provide a similar disposition for the intermediate strips of tape 13b. VIhe guide roll 2,6 mandrel 27 are mounted in the same fashion as the guide roll '2,1V and mandrel 23 in a pair of arms' 28. The arms 2S are likewise arranged one at each side or" the Ymachine "The S rolls 16 and 17 adjacent the rear of the machine, the platen roll 19, and two guide rolls 21 and 26, and the two mandrels 23 and 27 on which the tape cores C are mounted, are all Vdriven by mechanism standard on the particular type of slitting machine illustrated. Since it forms no part of the instant invention it need not be described here in detail except to say that contrary to the usual manner of operation it rotates the mandrels at a speed which even during the initial wind of tape upon the cores is higher than that necessary to wind up the tape at the speed it is delivered from the slitting knives.

Each mandrel 23 or 27 as the case may be, consists of a lon-g hollow shaft closed at one end by a bushing 29 Squared oi externally for accommodation in a complementary-shaped socket driven in well-.known manner and which positively rotates the mandrel during a normal machine cycle of operation. At its opposite end, the mandrel is also equipped with a bushing 30 suitably rounded olf for rotation in-a bearing preferably a split bearing, with which `the machine is equipped at the left. Bushing 30 is provided with a longitudinally-disposed centrally-located passageway 32 communicating at one end with the hollow interior of the mandrel and at its other end through suitable connections, vsome of which are not shown, with a source of air pressure.

Each mandrel is equipped with a series of pairs of clutch members, 33, 34. The first member 33 of each pair, starting with the pair at lthe left end of the mandrel (FIG. 3) is xed withY respect to the mandrel whereas the other member 34 which isV designed to accommodate the core on which the tape is to be wound is movable with respect tothe mandrel freely ina rotational direction as well as for a limited distance in a longitudinal or axial direction. The movable member 34 of each pair is buttressed in its operation by the xed clutch member 33 of the pair immediatelyto the right thereof, the last member 34 at the right end of the mandrel having a special xed buttressing element whose construction need only be that necessary. to serve as a buttress. its construction for this purpose 'will be apparent as the description of the inventionY proceeds.

vIn the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, each core accommodating clutch member 34 is cylin- Vdrical in shape with an outer diameter substantially the same `as the internal diameter of the cores C on which the tape is to be wound, a central diameter substantially the same as the external diameter of the mandrel;23 on which it is rotatably mounted, and two atlateral faces located in parallel planes disposed atright angles tothe axis of the mandrel. To .prevent a core from turning with respect to the clutch member 34 during a tape wind-up operation,

Vsuch member may lbe equipped with prong devices 35 adapted for movement outwardly to bite into the core .preparatory to the tape-winding operation land then inwardly for disengagement from the core preparatory to the removal of a completed roll of tape'therefrom. VAs shown in FIG. 8, there are three such prong devices 35 (although a 4greater or lesser Anumber couldbe used) preferably disposed equidistantly along the circumferential periphery of the clutch member 34. Each prong device includes a radially-disposed reduced stem portion 36 at the outer end of which a-pair of prongs 37 is presented and an enlarged cylindrical inner portion 3S integal with the stem portion and which is arranged for limited sliding movement ina radial direction in a radially-disposed hole 39 drilled'in the clutch member and whose diameterV is such as just to accommodate such sliding movement. A bushing 40 threaded into each of the radially-disposed recesses at its outer end so as to be below the cylindrical Vsurface of the clutch member is provided with a centrally-'disposed hole to accommodate the reduced stem portion 36 of the prong device and guide it in its inward land outward movement. A compression spring 41 encircles the reduced stem portion and reacts between the inner surface of the bushing and an opposed shoulder 42 presented by the enlarged cylindrical portion 38 Where the stem meets the latter. The spring 41, in the normal position of the'parts, locatesthe prong device at the base of the hole 39 ina position where prongs 37 are below the outer surface of the member 34 and consequently incapable of interfering with the placement of cores thereon. Exceptas hereinafter stated, the recesses l39 which accommodate .the prong devices 35 are closed ott at the Abottom byva cylindrical sleeve 42' preferably made of a suitable bearing metal and whose inner-surface rides on the' outer surface of the mandrel 23 as the clutch member 34 rotates. Approximately at a position 'midway -between the. lateral .faces-z of: the clutchmember Y34, the

inner surface of the sleeve 42, i.e., the surface adjacent the mandrel, presents an annular groove 43 extending all around the mandrel and so disposed that as the clutch member rotates, said groove always will have communication with the hollow interior of the mandrel through a hole 44 in the wall thereof and which registers with said annular groove. A hole 45 is drilled radially through the sleeve at the base of the annular groove at various positions corresponding to the location of the prong devices so that there will be established at all times communication between the annular groove and the recesses which accommodate the prong device beneath the enlarged cylindrical portions 3S thereof. a

According to this arrangement, when air pressure is established inside the mandrel 23, as is done when the mandrels with cores on the movable clutch members 34 thereof have been inserted in the machine preparatory to a tape-winding operation, the prong devices are forced outwardly against the reaction of their respective springs 41 to press the prongs 37 into the internal faces of the cores so as effectively to prevent the cores from rotating relatively to the clutch member 34 during a tape winding operation. Correspondingly, after the completion of a tape winding operation and in preparation for the removal of the mandrel from the machine, the air pressure within the mandrel is reduced and when this occurs the springs 41 force their respective prong devices inwardly to their normal positions thereby withdrawing the prongs from engagement with the cores so that the completed rolls of tape can be removed from the mandrel without diiculty. At this point, it should be noted that an annular groove 46 encircles the enlarged cylindrical portion 318 of each of the prong devices to accommodate a gasket 47 which by cooperating with the cylindrical wall of the recess in which the prong device slides prevents escape of air so that the appropriate pressure for operation of the device is maintained. Y

As previously stated, the core holding members 34 are designed for rotation with respect to the mandrel 23 on which they are mounted with as little friction as possible and itis for this reason that use of anti-friction bearings is preferred, although any other means of reducing friction and accomplishing an equivalent function will suice. The exact mounting of the clutch members 34 with respect to the mandrel is such also that they each have a limited movement longitudinally of the mandrel as permitted by the clutch members 33 between which it is located and for this purpose also its mounting on thermandrel allows a degree of facewise adjustment sufficient to permit it to Yrest flush against the adjacent face of the clutch member 33 in contact with it on the right.

As previously stated, the clutch driving `members 33 adjacent one to each of the driven members 34 have a fixed mounting on the mandrel Z3. These clutch driving members are circular in shape with outside diameter no larger than that of the core holding clutch members 34 so as not to interfere with loading of the cores on the members 34. Each driving clutch member is formed with a radiallydrilled hole tapped to accommodate a screw 48 which, when threaded up with its head below the outer cylindrical surface of the clutch member, is likewise threaded at its inner end into a registering hole in the mandrel 23 so that both clutch member and mandrel are constrained to rotate as a unit (FIGS. 6 and l0). When the clutch member 33 is appropriately connected with the mandrel in the manner described, an annular groove 49 formed in itsinternal surface which engages the mandrel and which encircles the mandrel, registers with one or more holes 50 drilled in the wall of the mandrel thus to establish communication between the annular groove and the interior of the mandrel. A pair of radially-disposed lateral face of the fixed clutch member 33, Which is adjacent its -associated movable clutch member 34 (FIGS. 4 and ll). The annular groove 53 is concentric with the axis of the mandrel. An annular ring 54 substantially square in cross-section seats in the annular groove 53 which is deep enough to permit movement of the ring for a limited distance in a direction facewise of thev clutch members. Rotational movement of the ring, relative to its clutch member -is prevented, however, by a pair of pins 55 diametrically disposed and Which extend in a longitudinal direction through the ring and into a pair of correspondingly-disposed holes 56 drilled in the base of the annular groove 53. The inner and outer concentric walls of the annular groove are recessed one radially inwardly and the other radially outwardly to accommodate rubber gaskets 57 and 58 of circular cross-section and which are installed under compression so as to make the connection air tight. According to the arrangement just described, air pressure built up within the mandrel 23 is communicated to the underside of the annular ring 54 thereby to move it to the right into engagement with the adjacent face of the movable clutch member 34 with a force dependent upon the degree of air pressure established. By maintaining this pressure constant while the mandrel -is rotated, a constant torque is established which causes the movable clutch member 34 to turn with the fixed element and wind the tape up on the core.` Furthermore, since the pressure established in each of thexed clutch elements 33 is the same by virtue of the similarity of their mountings upon the mandrel, the torque acting upon all of the movable clutch members 34 is the same. 'I'he result is that the winding tension in all of the rolls of tape being wound upon the mandrel will for all p'factical purposes be the same.

The area of contact of the adjacent surfaces of the fixed and movable clutch members and the character of their surfaces are made such that a driving engagement will be established between the parts upon the introduction of air pressure into the annular chamber 53. Preferably, this driving connection is such as to permit the mandrel to rotate at a speed in excess of the speed at which the movable clutch members are driven so that their drive is always through sliding friction. When the clutches are operated in this fashion, the driving torque acting upon the movable clutch members will be far steadier than if there were relative movement between the clutch members during some phases of the drive and an absence of relative movement during the other phases 0f the drive.

The force exerted by the xed clutch member 33 on the relatively-movable clutch member 34 requires, of course, that axial movement of the movable clutch member be limited in an axial direction away from the fixed clutch member which drives it. This is accomplished by making the xed clutch member on the Gpposite side of the movable member serve as a buttress to prevent such movement. In this connection, it may be noted that the buttressing member in the face thereof adjacentthe movable member on the left may be equipped with a ring S9 of friction material raised slightly above such face so that in effect the movable member is driven through a 'double clutch. Alternatively the frictionbetween the movable clutch membery and the buttressing member may be reduced to a minimum, as by making the ring 5 9 of some anti-friction material or indeed using a thrust bearing between the movable and the buttressing members.

Escape of air from the central annular recess 49 of the fixed clutch members 33 along the external surface of the mandrel may be prevented by providing a pair of annular grooves 60 -in those inner surfaces of such members which are adjacent the mandrel, one of each pair of grooves being spaced on each side of the recess 49 and locating a gasket 61 under compression in each of said grooves (FIG. 10). It should also be noted that a convenient way of plugging up the endsv of the radially-disposed passageways 51 through which communication is established from cally-opposed point.

.7 the mandrel tothe floating ring54 is to drill both of su'ch 'holesfromone point on the cylindrical surface of the member radially through both sections of the member, but terminating short of the outer surface Vof the diametri- The end of the hole at the initial point of drilling may then-be tapped and a threaded plug 62 inserted (FIGS. 6 and l1). i

It is normal procedure in winding up tape to employ constant'torque with the result that wind-up tension in the tape decreases from the core outwardly in proportion to the increase in radius of the tape roll. In some instances, however, it may be desirable to wind the rolls of tape with constant tension.V With the present improvements, this can be accomplishedrby increasing the pressure in the mandrel inproportion to the increase in radius of the rolls. In other Words, any increase in mandrel pressure which increases vthe wind-up torque exerted on therelatively-movable clutch member 34 in proportion to increase in radius of the roll will result in a roll o tape wound under constant tension.

One example of a mechanism for accomplishing this is Villustrated in FIG. l2. 'The hollow mandrel 23 on which the cores are mounted is connected with a source of air pressure through a globe valve 63 which can be opened and closed to increase or decrease the air pressure `in the mandrel as desired. A rock shaft 64 rotatably mounted near its ends in a iixed part of the machine and parallel with the mandrel may be arranged for rotation by an arm 65 xed to the shaft and which has a roller 66 at its outer end adapted to engage the periphery of a roll of tape on the mandrel. As the roll of tape increases in size, the shaft 64 is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at the parts from the right, causing intermeshing gears 67, 68, iixed one on the shaft and the other on the valve stem to open the valve. Opening the `valve increases Vthe pressure in the mandrel with a consequent increase in the torque exerted on each of vtheY movable clutch members 34. Y

As shown in FIG. l1, when the pressure in the system n is increased to move the annular vring 54 .toward the right, Vthere is a tendency to rotate the sealing ring .gaskets S7, 8. 'Ihis sets up a torque in the gasket rings which upon decrease of the pressure in the systems, will restore ring 54 toits normal position. Y

K In FIGS. 4a and 9,V there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention which differs from that heretofore described onlyin themechanismutilized by the relativel movable clutch member to anchor the core against rotation with respect to the clutch member on which it is mounted. As shown in `FIG. 4a, the outer cylindrical surface ofthe clutch member 34 .is formed with ya relatively-wide but shallow peripheral channel 69 Vwhose lateral sides at the base are provided -with opposed grooves 70. A continuous band 71 of resilient material rests in the channel .69 with its vopposite-edges in ythe grooves 70. The-width Aof the band` 71 is somewhat greater than the distance between the'bases of the opposed grooves70 and while thiscondition causes the band to camber upwardly, to form-a convex crown72, the Vedges of the band, nevertheless, are retained vin the, grooves by overlying shoulders which in part define such grooves.

Normally, when there is Van absence of` pressure inthe mandrel 23, the-crown 72 of the camber will stand below the outer peripheral face of the clutch member 34 so Aas -not tov interfere with fthe placingfof the Vcores thereon. However, after the cores have been placed on the mandrel and as -air pressure is built up therein preparatory to Vthe inaguration of a tape-winding operation, -air pressure likewise is built up beneath the band forcing the lalter outwardlyrat the crown of -the Vcamber so as tightly'to engage the inner peripheral vwall of the core and by friction to AYhold it vtightly against relative rotatonwith're- Vspect to the clutch member. Air-pressurey is built up beneath fthe band through a plurality of ducts 73 which conneet the region L69 beneath the band with an annular duct "anregen Y 74, which is'identical with and serves Vthe same purpose as the duct 43'in the embodiment previously described. Three such communicating ducts 73 are shown but obviously a greater or a lesser number could be usediif desired. Release of air pressureu in the mandrel at the conclusion of the tape-winding operation permits collapse of 'the band 71 at the crown 72 of the camber suicient to release 'the associated core for ready removal of the completed roll of tape. In allV other respects, operation of thisembodiment ofthe invention isv the same as that previously described.

VThe invention has been described'in connection with a limited number of moditicationsfbut many other modiiications are included within its spirit. Ift should be limited, therefore, onlyby 'the scope of the appended claims. l

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus for wind-ing a plurality of strips of material on a corresponding plurality of cores, the cornbination which includes a hollow mandrel adapted to be connected to a source of pneumatic pressure, a plurality of core supporting devices concentrically mounted for independent rotation on the mandrel and adapted eachV to support a core on which a diiferent one of the respective strips is wound, and an individual driving mechanism for driving each of said concentrically arranged core supporting devices on' said mandrel and iixed against relative rotation thereabout and relative longitudinal movement therealong, said driving mechanisms comprising each a clutch engaging device and said core supporting devices comprising each a core gripping means, said clutch engaging devices and said core gripping means being operable upon establishment of pneumatic pressure in the mandrel simultaneously to connect the driving mechanisms with the core supporting devices Vand to engage the core supporting deviceswith cores supported thereon, and said clutch engaging devices and said core gripping means being operable upon disestablishment of pneumatic pressure in the mandrel simultaneously to'disconnect Vthe driving mechanism from the core supporting devices and to d-isengage the core supporting devicesrom the cores supported thereon.

` 2. In apparatus for winding strip material on a core, the combination which includes a hollow mandrel adapted to be connected to a source of pneumatic pressure, a core-supporting member mounted thereon for free rotational movement thereabout, core gripping means in the peripheral surface of the core supporting member `movable when subjected to the iniiuence of pneumatic pressure into core gripping engagement to anchor a core mounted-thereon against relative rotation 4and out of core gripping engagement torelease said core when the yirliiuence of pneumatic pressure is removed, driving mechanism for the coresupporfting member fixed on the mandrel aganstrelative-rotation thereabout and relative translation therealong, and -anannular ring concentrically disposed about the axis ofthe mandrel in a recess in the -ixe'd driving mechanismV movable axially when subjected to the -inuence of pneumatic pressure into clutching engagementwith 'the core supporting member to establish a driving connection therewithv and. out of clutching engagement with the core supporting member when the inuence of pneumatic pressure is removed to disestablish said driving connection, and air passageways conneoting said core gripping means and said recess respectively with theA hollow mandrel.

3. In apparatus. for winding strip material on a core, the combination which .includes a hollow mandrel Yadapted to be connectedto a sourceofpneumatic pressure, y.a core supporting membermounted thereon for free rotational movement thereabout, core gripping means in the/peripheral surface of the core supporting member movable when subjected to the influence of pneumatic pressure into core grippingengagement tofanchor a core mounted thereon against relative rotation and out of core gripping engagement to release said core when the inuence of pneumatic pressure is removed, driving mechanism `for the core supporting member iixed n the mandrel against relative rota-tion thereabout and relative translation therealong, and an annular ring concentrically disposed about the axis of the mandrel in a recess in t-he fixed driving mechanism movable axially when subjected to the influence of pneumatic pressure into clutching engagement with the core supporting member to establish a driving connection therewith and out of clutching engagement with the core supporting member when the influence of pneumatic pressure is removed to `disestablish said driving connection, and air passageways connecting said core gripping means and said recess respectively with the hollow mandrel, and means reacting between the annular ring and the wall of the recess in which it is mounted to facilitate disengagement of fthe driving mechanism from the core supporting member.

4. In apparatus for winding strip material on a core, the combination which includes a hollow mandrel adapted to be connected to a source of pneumatic pressure, a core supporting member mounted thereon vfor free rotational movement thereabout, core gripping means in the peripheral surface of the core supporting member movable when subjected to the iniluence of pneumatic pressure into core gripping engagement to anchor a core mounted thereon against relative rotation and out of core gripping engagement to release said core when the influence of pneumatic pressure is removed, driving mechanism for the core supporting member xed on the mandrel against relative rotation thereabout and relative translation therealong, and an annular ring concentrically disposed about the axis of the mandrel in a recess in the fixed driving mechanism movable axially when subjected to the influence of pneumatic pressure into clutching engagement with the core supporting member to establish a driving connection therewith and out of clutching engagement with the core supporting member when the inuence of pneumatic pressure is removed to disestablish said driving connection, and air passageways connecting said core gripping means and said recess respectively with the hollow mandrel, and means including a gasket of circular cross section reacting between the annular ring and the Wall of the recess in which it is mounted to facilitate disengagement of the driving mechanism from the core supporting member.

5. In apparatus for winding strip material on a core, the combination which comprises a hollow mandrel adapted to be connected to a source of pneumatic pressure, a core supporting member mounted thereon for free rotational movement thereabout, core gripping means associated with the core supporting member comprising a resilient band anchored along its edges and which, midway between its edges, is inatable outwardly upon application of pneumatic pressure on its inner side into gripping engagement with a core supported on the core supporting member and deatable out of gripping engagement with such core upon disestablishment of pneumatic pressure on said inner side, driving mechanism for the core supporting member xed on the mandrel against relative rotation thereabout and relative translation therealong, an annular ring concentrically disposed about the axis of the mandrel in a recess in the fixed driving mechanism movable axially when subjected to the inuence of pneumatic pressure into clutching engagement with the core supporting member to establish a driving connection therewith and out of clutching engagement with the core supporting member when the iniiuence of pneumatic pressure is removed to disestablish said driving connection, and independent air connections between the inner side of the resilient band and .the hollow mandrel and between said recess and the hollow mandrel.

6. Apparatus for winding strip material on a core which comprises a hollow mandrel adapted to be connected to a source of pneumatic pressure, a core supporting member mounted on the mandrel for free rotational movement with respect to the mandrel, means associated with the core supporting member for holding a core mounted thereon against rotation with respect thereto and movable when subjected to the influence of pneumatic pressure into core gripping engagement and out of core gripping engagement when the iniiuence of pneumatic pressure thereon is removed, driving mechanism for the core supporting member comprising a member fixed on the mandrel and a second member movable when subjected to the influence of pneumatic pressure into clutching engagement with the core supporting member and out of clutching engagement therewith when the influence of pneumatic pressure thereon is removed to establish and disestablish a driving connection between the member xed on the mandrel and the `core supporting member, and connections between the movable clutch member and the hollow mandrel and between the hollow mandrel and the core gripping means through which pneumatic pressure may be established.

7. In apparatus for winding strip material on a core, the combination which includes a hollow mandrel adapted to be connected to a source of pneumatic pressure, a core supporting member mounted thereon for free rotational movement thereabout, core gripping means in the peripheral surface of the core supporting member movable when subjected to the inuence of pneumatic pressure into core gripping engagement to anchor a core mounted thereon against relative rotation and out of core gripping engagement to release said core when the influence of pneumatic pressure is removed, driving mechanism for the core supporting member fixed on the mandrel against relative rotation thereabout and relative translation therealong, an annular ring concentrically disposed about the axis of the mandrel in a -recess in the fixed driving mechanism and being movable axially, when subjected to the infiuence of pneumatic pressure established in the recess, into clutching engagement with the core supporting member to establish a driving connection therewith and out of clutching engagement with the core supporting member when the inuence of pneumatic pressure is removed to disestablish said driving connection, and connections between the recess in which the annular ring is mounted and the hollow mandrel and between the hollow mandrel and said core gripping means through which pneumatic pressure may be established.

8. Apparatus according -to claim 2 wherein the core gripping means is movable outwardly in an axial direction upon the establishment of pneumatic pressure in the mandrel and against the reaction of resilient means serving to urge the core gripping means inwardly.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the core gripping means includes an element with prongs slideable outwardly to engage the prongs in the core, and a spring reacting on said element with the prongs to move it inwardly upon disestablishment of pneumatic pressure in the mandrel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,053,918 Meyer Feb. 18, 1913 2,215,069 Meisel Sept. 17, 1940 2,321,146 Jones `Tune 8, 1943 2,465,810 MacDonald et al Mar. 29, 1949 2,537,492 Tidland Ian. 9, 1951 2,684,210 Conti July 20, 1954 2,855,161 Ganz et al. Oct. 7, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,998 Great Britain June 2, 1908 225,247 Germany Sept. 5, 1910 743,337 Germany Dec. 23, 1943 1,083,008 France June 23, 1954 

